Baker progressing slowly in rehab assignment

PHOENIX -- Cubs pitcher Scott Baker, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, hasn't shown much improvement after his third rehab start.

On Wednesday, Baker gave up three runs on five hits over three innings in his third rehab start for Class A Kane County.

"It was kind of like the other ones, not super sharp, not a lot coming out," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Thursday. "He topped out at 88 [mph]. He's a little bit short right now."

The right-hander, who the Cubs hoped could pitch for the big league team this season, now has been charged with 13 runs on 17 hits and six walks over 8 2/3 innings in his three rehab starts.

Could Baker be hesitant to just let it go with his pitches?

"That's hard to say," Sveum said. "He's got that personality that he might not be letting it go yet. That comes with the territory. Sometimes just one, let it go, and it's like, 'OK, I'm all right.' It's a fine line, I'm sure, for guys who have had those kind of surgeries."